Stacked semiconductor package having mold vias and method for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A stacked semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor chip having a first active surface over which first bonding pads including peripheral bonding pads and central bonding pads are arranged, a first encapsulation member, two second semiconductor chips having second active surfaces over which second bonding pads are arranged at one side peripheries and disposed to be separated from each other such that the second active surfaces face the first active surface and the second bonding pads overlap with the peripheral bonding pads, first coupling members interposed between the peripheral bonding pads and the second bonding pads, a second encapsulation member formed over second side surfaces of the second semiconductor chips including a region between the second semiconductor chips, and a mold via formed through a portion of the second encapsulation member in the region between the second semiconductor chips and coupled with the central bonding pads.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2017-0058458 filed on May 11, 2017, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Various embodiments generally relate to a semiconductor package, andmore particularly, to a stacked semiconductor package having mold viasand a method for manufacturing the same.

2. Related Art

As electronic products become smaller and more sophisticated,semiconductor chips with higher capacities have been needed to meetrequired functions. In addition, it has become necessary to mount anincreased number of semiconductor chips in a smaller-sized electronicproduct.

But, technologies for manufacturing semiconductor chips with highercapacities or mounting an increased number of semiconductor chips in alimited space cannot help but have limitations. In this situation, arecent trend is directed to embedding an increased number ofsemiconductor chips in one package.

In this regard, technologies capable of embedding different kinds ofchips in one package and stacking two or more chips while not increasingthe entire thickness of the package are being developed. Also, varioustechnologies capable of improving electrical characteristics of stackedsemiconductor chips are being developed.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a stacked semiconductor package may include a firstsemiconductor chip having a first active surface over which firstbonding pads including peripheral bonding pads and central bonding padare arranged. The stacked semiconductor package may include a firstencapsulation member formed over at least first side surfaces of thefirst semiconductor chip. The stacked semiconductor package may includetwo second semiconductor chips having second active surfaces over whichsecond bonding pads are arranged at side peripheries adjacent to thefirst semiconductor chip, and disposed to be separated from each othersuch that the second active surfaces face the first active surface andthe second bonding pads overlap with the peripheral bonding pads. Thestacked semiconductor package may include first coupling membersinterposed between the peripheral bonding pads of the firstsemiconductor chip and the second bonding pads of the secondsemiconductor chips. The stacked semiconductor package may include asecond encapsulation member formed over second side surfaces of thesecond semiconductor chips including a region between the secondsemiconductor chips. The stacked semiconductor package may include amold via formed through a portion of the second encapsulation member inthe region between the second semiconductor chips and coupled with thecentral bonding pads.

In an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a stacked semiconductorpackage may include: disposing first semiconductor chips having firstactive surfaces over which first bonding pads including peripheralbonding pads and central bonding pad are arranged, over a carrier wafersuch that the carrier wafer and the first active surfaces face eachother; forming a first encapsulation member which covers the firstsemiconductor chips, over the carrier wafer such that a reconfiguredwafer in which the first semiconductor chips are redisposed isconstructed; removing the carrier wafer from the reconfigured wafer;bonding two second semiconductor chips to one first semiconductor chipon the reconfigured wafer at a distance from each other, wherein thesecond semiconductor chips have second active surfaces over which secondbonding pads are arranged at side peripheries adjacent to the firstsemiconductor chip, wherein the second semiconductor chips have firstcoupling members formed on the second bonding pads, wherein the secondsemiconductor chips possess a thickness greater than a target thickness,and wherein the second semiconductor chips are disposed on thereconfigured wafer, such that the second active surfaces face the firstactive surface, the second bonding pads are coupled with the peripheralbonding pads by the first coupling members and the central bonding padis exposed; forming a second encapsulation member over the reconfiguredwafer in such a way as to cover the second semiconductor chips; removinga partial thickness of the second encapsulation member and the secondsemiconductor chips such that the target thickness of the secondsemiconductor chips remains; and forming a mold via which is coupledwith the central bonding pads of the first semiconductor chip, and whichpass through a portion of the second encapsulation member in a regionbetween the second semiconductor chips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a representation of anexample of a stacked semiconductor package in accordance with anembodiment.

FIGS. 2A to 2J are representations of examples of cross-sectional viewsto assist in the explanation of the processes of a method formanufacturing a stacked semiconductor package in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a representation of anexample of a stacked semiconductor package in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a representation of anexample of a stacked semiconductor package in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a representation of an example ofan electronic system to which the semiconductor packages in accordancewith the various embodiments may be applied.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a representation of an example ofa memory card which may include the semiconductor packages in accordancewith the various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a stacked semiconductor package having mold vias and amethod for manufacturing the same will be described below with referenceto the accompanying drawings through various examples of embodiments.

Embodiments provide a stacked semiconductor package having mold vias anda method for manufacturing the same.

Referring to FIG. 1, a stacked semiconductor package 100 in accordancewith an embodiment may include a first semiconductor chip 10, a firstencapsulation member 20, second semiconductor chips 30, first couplingmembers 40, a second encapsulation member 50, mold vias 60, secondcoupling members 70, and a substrate 80. The stacked semiconductorpackage 100 may further include bump pads 62, dummy pads 64, and supportmembers 72. The stacked semiconductor package 100 may further include athird encapsulation member 90 and external coupling members 92.

The first semiconductor chip 10 may be either a memory chip or a logicchip. For example, the first semiconductor chip 10 may be a logic chip.The first semiconductor chip 10 may have a quadrangular plate shape. Thefirst semiconductor chip 10 may have a first active surface 10 a and afirst surface 10 b which faces away from the first active surface 10 a.The first semiconductor chip 10 may include a plurality of first bondingpads 12 which are arranged in the form of a matrix on the first activesurface 10 a.

The first bonding pads 12 may be disposed in the first active surface 10a. Unlike this, the first bonding pads 12 may be disposed on the firstactive surface 10 a. When viewed in a first direction X, the firstbonding pads 12 may be divided into peripheral bonding pads 12 a whichare disposed at both side peripheries of the first active surface 10 aand central bonding pads 12 b which are disposed between the peripheralbonding pads 12 a of the first active surface 10 a. In an embodiment,the peripheral bonding pads 12 a may be arranged in three lines at eachside periphery of the first active surface 10 a, and the central bondingpads 12 b may be arranged in five lines between the peripheral bondingpads 12 a disposed at both side peripheries of the first active surface10 a.

The first semiconductor chip 10 may be disposed in a face-down type suchthat the first active surface 10 a on which the first bonding pads 12are arranged faces downward.

While not shown, it may be understood that the first semiconductor chip10 is formed with a passivation layer on the first active surface 10 ain such a way as to leave the first bonding pads 12 exposed.

The first encapsulation member 20 may be formed to cover first sidesurfaces 10 c of the first semiconductor chip 10. The firstencapsulation member 20 may be formed to not cover the first activesurface 10 a and the first surface 10 b of the first semiconductor chip10. A first front surface 20 a of the first encapsulation member 20 maybe disposed to be coplanar with the first active surface 10 a of thefirst semiconductor chip 10, and a first back surface 20 b of the firstencapsulation member 20 may be disposed to be coplanar with the firstsurface 10 b of the first semiconductor chip 10. The first encapsulationmember 20 may be formed of an epoxy molding compound. While not shown,in other embodiments the first encapsulation member 20 may be formed insuch a way as to not cover the first active surface 10 a of the firstsemiconductor chip 10 and to cover the first surface 10 b and the firstside surfaces 10 c of the first semiconductor chip 10. According to thisfact, the first surface 10 b of the first semiconductor chip 10 may beprotected from external circumstances by the first encapsulation member20.

The second semiconductor chips 30 may be disposed under the firstsemiconductor chip 10 and the first encapsulation member 20 in a seconddirection Y. Two second semiconductor chips 30 may be disposed in thismanner. Each of the second semiconductor chips 30 may have aquadrangular plate shape. Each of the second semiconductor chips 30 mayhave a second active surface 30 a and a second surface 30 b which facesaway from the second active surface 30 a. Each of the secondsemiconductor chips 30 may include a plurality of second bonding pads 32which are arranged on the second active surface 30 a.

In each of the second semiconductor chips 30, the second bonding pads 32may be disposed at one side periphery which is adjacent to the firstsemiconductor chip 10 when viewed in the first direction X. For example,in the second semiconductor chip 30 which is disposed at the lower leftof the first semiconductor chip 10, the second bonding pads 32 may bedisposed at the right side periphery of the second active surface 30 a,and in the second semiconductor chip 30 which is disposed at the lowerright of the first semiconductor chip 10, the second bonding pads 32 maybe disposed at the left side periphery of the second active surface 30a.

The second semiconductor chips 30 may be disposed in a face-up typeunder the first semiconductor chip 10 and the first encapsulation member20 such that the second active surfaces 30 a of the second semiconductorchips 30 face the first active surface 10 a of the first semiconductorchip 10. The second semiconductor chips 30 may be disposed to beseparated from each other such that the second semiconductor chips 30overlap with the peripheral bonding pads 12 a of the first semiconductorchip 10 and leave exposed the central bonding pads 12 b of the firstsemiconductor chip 10. The peripheral bonding pads 12 a of the firstsemiconductor chip 10 and the second bonding pads 32 of the secondsemiconductor chips 30 may overlap with each other in a one-to-onecorrespondence.

The second semiconductor chips 30 may be a kind of chip that isdifferent from the first semiconductor chip 10. For example, if thefirst semiconductor chip 10 is a logic chip, the second semiconductorchips 30 may be memory chips. While not shown, it may be understood thateach of the second semiconductor chips 30 is formed with a passivationlayer on the second active surface 30 a in such a way as to leave thesecond bonding pads 32 exposed. The second bonding pads 32 may bedisposed in the second active surfaces 30 a as illustrated. Unlike this,while not shown, in other embodiments the second bonding pads 32 may bedisposed on the second active surfaces 30 a.

The first coupling members 40 may be respectively interposed between theperipheral bonding pads 12 a of the first semiconductor chip 10 and thesecond bonding pads 32 of the second semiconductor chips 30 in such away as to electrically couple the peripheral bonding pads 12 a and thesecond bonding pads 32, which are disposed to overlap with each other.The first coupling members 40 may be constructed by bumps. The firstcoupling members 40 may be formed on the second bonding pads 32 of thesecond semiconductor chips 30. The second semiconductor chips 30 may beflip-chip bonded to the first active surface 10 a of the firstsemiconductor chip 10 by the first coupling members 40.

The second encapsulation member 50 may be formed to cover the secondactive surfaces 30 a and second side surfaces 30 c of the secondsemiconductor chips 30. The second encapsulation member 50 may be formedto not cover the second surfaces 30 b of the second semiconductor chips30. The second encapsulation member 50 may be formed to fill the regionbetween the second semiconductor chips 30. A second front surface 50 aof the second encapsulation member 50 may be disposed to be in contactwith the first active surface 10 a of the first semiconductor chip 10and the first front surface 20 a of the first encapsulation member 20,and a second back surface 50 b of the second encapsulation member 50 maybe disposed to be coplanar with the second surfaces 30 b of the secondsemiconductor chips 30. The second encapsulation member 50 may be formedof an epoxy molding compound in the same manner as the firstencapsulation member 20. The total width of the second encapsulationmember 50 and the second semiconductor chips 30 may be substantially thesame as the total width of the first semiconductor chip 10 and the firstencapsulation member 20.

The mold vias 60 may be formed to electrically couple the firstsemiconductor chip 10 and the substrate 80. The mold vias 60 may beformed through a portion of the second encapsulation member 50 betweenthe second semiconductor chips 30. The mold vias 60 may be formed topass through the second front surface 50 a and the second back surface50 b of the second encapsulation member 50. The mold vias 60 may becoupled with the central bonding pads 12 b of the first semiconductorchip 10 on the second front surface 50 a of the second encapsulationmember 50. The mold vias 60 may be formed as through holes are formed inthe second encapsulation member 50 and then a conductive layer such as ametal layer is filled in the through holes.

In the embodiment, the bump pads 62 may be formed on or under theportions of the mold vias 60 which are disposed at the second backsurface 50 b of the second encapsulation member 50. The dummy pads 64may be formed under and at the side peripheries of the second surfaces30 b of the second semiconductor chips 30 which are not adjacent to themold vias 60 when viewed in the first direction X. The bump pads 62 andthe dummy pads 64 may be formed as a metal pattern.

The second coupling members 70 may be formed on or under the bump pads62. The support members 72 may be formed on or under the dummy pads 64.The second coupling members 70 and the support members 72 may beconstructed by bumps. By the second coupling members 70, a chip stackincluding the first semiconductor chip 10, the first encapsulationmember 20, the second semiconductor chips 30, and the secondencapsulation member 50 may be flip-chip bonded to a top surface 80 a ofthe substrate 80. The stack of the dummy pads 64 and the support members72 may be formed to secure structural stability when flip-chip bondingthe chip stack, and may be disposed at the side peripheries of thesecond surfaces 30 b of the second semiconductor chips 30 which are notadjacent to the mold vias 60 when viewed in the first direction X.

The substrate 80 may be disposed under the second semiconductor chips 30and the second encapsulation member 50. The substrate 80 may be disposedto face the second surfaces 30 b of the second semiconductor chips 30and the second back surface 50 b of the second encapsulation member 50.The substrate 80 may be a printed circuit board, and have a quadrangularplate shape. The substrate 80 may have a size larger than the total sizeof the second semiconductor chips 30 and the second encapsulation member50. The substrate 80 may have the top surface 80 a and a bottom surface80 b which faces away from the top surface 80 a. The substrate 80 mayinclude a plurality of bond fingers 82 which are arranged on the topsurface 80 a and a plurality of electrode terminals 84 which arearranged on or under the bottom surface 80 b.

The bond fingers 82 may be disposed at the center portion of the topsurface 80 a of the substrate 80. The bond fingers 82 may be disposed insuch a way as to overlap with the mold vias 60 corresponding thereto.Accordingly, the bond fingers 82 may be electrically coupled with themold vias 60 including the bump pads 62 by the second coupling members70. As a result, the bond fingers 82 may be electrically coupled withthe central bonding pads 12 b of the first semiconductor chip 10 throughthe second coupling members 70, the bump pads 62, and the mold vias 60.

The electrode terminals 84 may be arranged, for example, in the form ofa matrix, on or under the bottom surface 80 b of the substrate 80. Theelectrode terminals 84 may be coupled with internal wiring lines (notshown) which are formed in the substrate 80, and may be electricallycoupled with the bond fingers 82 which are arranged on the top surface80 a of the substrate 80, through the internal wiring lines.

The third encapsulation member 90 may be formed on or over the topsurface 80 a of the substrate 80. More clearly, the third encapsulationmember 90 may be formed to not cover the first back surface 20 b of thefirst encapsulation member 20 and the first surface 10 b of the firstsemiconductor chip 10. The third encapsulation member 90 may be formedto cover the side surfaces of the first encapsulation member 20 and thesecond encapsulation member 50. The third encapsulation member 90 may beformed to fill the spaces between the second semiconductor chips 30 andthe top surface 80 a of the substrate 80. The third encapsulation member90 may be formed of an epoxy molding compound. While not shown, in otherembodiments the third encapsulation member 90 may be formed to cover thefirst surface 10 b of the first semiconductor chip 10 and the first backsurface 20 b of the first encapsulation member 20.

The external coupling members 92 may be formed on or under the electrodeterminals 84 which are arranged on the bottom surface 80 b of thesubstrate 80. The external coupling members 92 may include solder balls.Unlike this, the external coupling members 92 may include conductivepins or conductive pastes. The stacked semiconductor package 100 inaccordance with the embodiment may be mounted to an external circuitsuch as a system board by the medium of the external coupling members92.

The stacked semiconductor package 100 in accordance with the embodimentas mentioned above may be manufactured through the following processes.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a carrier wafer 200 is prepared. The carrier wafer200 may be an unprocessed silicon bare wafer. First semiconductor chips10 having first active surfaces 10 a are attached to the carrier wafer200. Each of semiconductor chips are formed with first bonding pads 12on the first active surface 10 a. The first semiconductor chips 10 maybe attached on or over the carrier wafer 200 such that the first activesurfaces 10 a face the carrier wafer 200. Further, the firstsemiconductor chips 10 are attached at intervals that are determined inconsideration of second semiconductor chips to be subsequently flip-chipbonded.

Each of the first semiconductor chips 10 has the first active surface 10a which is formed with the plurality of first bonding pads 12, a firstsurface 10 b which faces away from the first active surface 10 a, andfirst side surfaces 10 c which couple the first active surface 10 a andthe first surface 10 b. The first bonding pads 12 include peripheralbonding pads 12 a which are disposed at both side peripheries of thefirst active surface 10 a and central bonding pads 12 b which aredisposed between the peripheral bonding pads 12 a.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a first encapsulation member 20 is formed on thecarrier wafer 200 through a molding process in such a way as to coverthe first semiconductor chips 10. The first encapsulation member 20 maybe an epoxy molding compound, and is formed to cover the first sidesurfaces 10 c and the first surface 10 b of each first semiconductorchip 10. The first encapsulation member 20 has a first front surface 20a which is coplanar with the first active surface 10 a of each firstsemiconductor chip 10. Further, the first encapsulation member 20 may beformed over and may be in contact with the carrier wafer 200. The firstencapsulation member 20 has a first back surface 20 b which faces awayfrom the first front surface 20 a.

Here, a resultant product in which the plurality of first semiconductorchips 10 are redisposed by the first encapsulation member 20 is referredto as a reconfigured wafer 250.

Referring to FIG. 2C, the carrier wafer 200 is removed from thereconfigured wafer 250 including the first semiconductor chips 10 andthe first encapsulation member 20. Then, the reconfigured wafer 250 fromwhich the carrier wafer 200 is removed is disposed upside down such thatthe first active surfaces 10 a of the first semiconductor chips 10 arepositioned up.

Referring to FIG. 2D, second semiconductor chips 30 are prepared. Eachof the second semiconductor chips have a second active surface 30 a onor over which a plurality of second bonding pads 32 are arranged, asecond surface 30 b which faces away from the second active surface 30 aand second side surfaces 30 c which couple the second active surface 30a and the second surface 30 b. The second bonding pads 32 may bearranged at one side periphery of the second active surface 30 a whichis adjacent to the first semiconductor chips 10. First coupling members40 are formed on the second bonding pads 32 of the second semiconductorchips 30. The first coupling members 40 may be constructed by bumps. Inan embodiment, in order to ensure easy handling, the secondsemiconductor chips 30 have a thickness greater than a target thicknesst, that is, a thickness of the second semiconductor chips 30 in a finalstacked semiconductor package.

The second semiconductor chips 30 are flip-chip bonded to thereconfigured wafer 250 by the first coupling members 40 according to awafer level package technology such that the first active surfaces 10 aof the first semiconductor chips 10 and the second active surfaces 30 aof the second semiconductor chips 30 face each other. More clearly, twosecond semiconductor chips 30 are flip-chip bonded to one firstsemiconductor chip 10 by the first coupling members 40 such that the twosecond semiconductor chips 30 overlap with the peripheral bonding pads12 a of the first active surface 10 a with respect to the one firstsemiconductor chip 10. Accordingly, the peripheral bonding pads 12 a ofthe first semiconductor chips 10 and the second bonding pads 32 of thesecond semiconductor chips 30 are electrically coupled with each otherby the first coupling members 40, and the central bonding pads 12 b ofthe first semiconductor chips 10 are exposed through the regions betweentwo second semiconductor chips 30.

Referring to FIG. 2E, a second encapsulation member 50 is formed on orover the reconfigured wafer 250 to cover the second semiconductor chips30. The second encapsulation member 50 may be an epoxy molding compound.The second encapsulation member 50 is formed to fill the spaces betweenthe first semiconductor chips 10 and the second semiconductor chips 30and the spaces between the first encapsulation member 20 and the secondsemiconductor chips 30, and is formed to fill the regions between thesecond semiconductor chips 30. The second encapsulation member 50 has asecond front surface 50 a which is in contact with the firstencapsulation member 20 and a second back surface 50 b which faces awayfrom the second front surface 50 a.

Referring to FIG. 2F, the second encapsulation member 50 and the secondsemiconductor chips 30 are partially removed up to the target thicknesst of the second semiconductor chips 30. The partial removal of thesecond encapsulation member 50 and the second semiconductor chips 30 maybe performed through, for example, a grinding process. In FIG. 2F, thesecond back surface 50 b of the final second encapsulation member 50 andthe second surfaces 30 b of the final second semiconductor chips 30 arethe exposed surfaces with some thickness removed, respectively. Whilenot shown, after partially removing the second encapsulation member 50and the second semiconductor chips 30, the partial removal of the firstback surface 20 b of the first encapsulation member 20 may be performedsuch that the first surfaces 10 a of the first semiconductor chips 10are exposed.

Referring to FIG. 2G, portions of the second encapsulation member 50between the second semiconductor chips 30 are etched such that holes hwhich respectively expose the central bonding pads 12 b of the firstsemiconductor chips 10 are formed. As a conductive layer such as a metallayer is filled in the holes h, mold vias 60 are formed in the holes h,respectively. The mold vias 60 are formed to pass through the secondfront surface 50 a and the second back surface 50 b of the secondencapsulation member 50 in a region between the second semiconductorchips 30, and are electrically coupled with the central bonding pads 12b, respectively, of the first semiconductor chips 10.

Referring to FIG. 2H, bump pads 62 are formed on or over the mold vias60 which are disposed at the second back surface 50 b of the secondencapsulation member 50, and, at the same time, dummy pads 64 are formedon or over the second back surfaces 30 b of the second semiconductorchips 30. The bump pads 62 and the dummy pads 64 may be formed of ametal. Second coupling members 70 are formed on or over the bump pads62, and, at the same time, support members 72 are formed on or over thedummy pads 64. The second coupling members 70 and the support members 72may be constructed by, for example, bumps.

In the embodiment, the dummy pads 64 and the support members 72 may beformed to secure structural stability when subsequently flip-chipbonding chip stacks by the medium of the second coupling members 70. Thedummy pads 64 and the support members 72 may be disposed at the sideperipheries of the second surfaces 30 b of the second semiconductorchips 30 which are not adjacent to the mold vias 60.

Referring to FIG. 2I, A resultant product with the dummy pads 64 andsupport members 72 is sawed such that the resultant product is separatedinto a plurality of chip stacks. The chip stacks include the first andsecond semiconductor chips 10 and 30, the first and second encapsulationmembers 20 and 50, and the mold vias 60, respectively.

A substrate 80 is prepared. The substrate 80 has a top surface 80 a onwhich a plurality of bond fingers 82 are arranged and a bottom surface80 b which faces away from the top surface 80 a and on which a pluralityof electrode terminals 84 are arranged. The chip stacks are flip-chipbonded to the top surface 80 a of the substrate 80 such that the topsurface 80 a of the substrate 80 and the second surfaces 30 b of thesecond semiconductor chips 30 face each other. Here, the chip stacks arebonded such that the second coupling members 70 are coupled with thebond fingers 82 of the substrate 80. Accordingly, the first bonding pads12 of the first semiconductor chips 10 are electrically coupled with thebond fingers 82 of the substrate 80 by the medium of the mold vias 60,the bump pads 62 and the second coupling members 70. When flip-chipbonding the chip stacks, the support members 72 including the dummy pads64 are brought into contact with both side peripheries of the topsurface 80 a of the substrate 80, and accordingly, the structuralstability of the chip stacks is secured.

A third encapsulation member 90 is formed through a molding process onor over the substrate 80 such that the chip stacks are completelycovered. The third encapsulation member 90 may be formed to cover theside surfaces of the first encapsulation member 20 and the secondencapsulation member 50 and fill the spaces between the secondsemiconductor chips 30 and the substrate 80. The third encapsulationmember 90 may be formed of an epoxy molding compound.

Referring to FIG. 2J, the third encapsulation member 90 and the firstback surface 20 b of the first encapsulation member 20 are partiallyremoved such that the first surfaces 10 b of the first semiconductorchips 10 are exposed. The partial removal of the third encapsulationmember 90 and the first encapsulation member 20 may be performedthrough, for example, a grinding process. Here, the first back surface20 b of the final first encapsulation member 20 is the exposed surfacewith some thickness removed. External coupling members 92 are formed onthe electrode terminals 84, respectively, which are arranged on or underthe bottom surface 80 b of the substrate 80. The external couplingmembers 92 may be solder balls. A singulation process is performed for aresultant product in which the external coupling members 92 are formedin such a manner that the packages which are manufactured at a waferlevel are separated into individual packages. As a result, themanufacturing of a stacked semiconductor package 100 in accordance withthe embodiment is completed.

The stacked semiconductor package 100 in accordance with the embodimentas mentioned above has advantages in that it is possible to reduce themanufacturing cost and simplify the manufacturing process.

In detail, in the conventional art, a silicon interposer is needed toimplement a planar type stacked package, and TSVs (through-silicon vias)are needed to implement a vertical type stacked package. If a siliconinterposer is applied, an increase in the manufacturing cost cannot helpbut be caused due to the presence of the silicon interposer, and aburden is imposed in terms of signal routing. Similarly, even in thecase where TSVs are applied, a burden is imposed due to a complicatedprocess and an increase in the manufacturing cost cannot help but becaused.

However, in the case of the stacked semiconductor package 100 inaccordance with the embodiment, second semiconductor chips may bestacked in a planar type without the need of applying a siliconinterposer, and a first semiconductor chip and second semiconductorchips may be stacked in a vertical type without the need of applyingTSVs. As a consequence, in the stacked semiconductor package 100 inaccordance with the embodiment, an increase in the manufacturing costattributable to application of a silicon interposer and TSVs may beavoided, and a burden in process due to signal routing and forming ofcomplicated TSVs may be avoided.

Therefore, the stacked semiconductor package 100 in accordance with theembodiment may overcome commercial and technical limitations incomparison with the conventional art in which a silicon interposer,signal routing, and TSVs should be applied.

Referring to FIG. 3, a stacked semiconductor package 300 in accordancewith an embodiment may include a first semiconductor chip 10, a firstencapsulation member 20, second semiconductor chips 30, first couplingmembers 40, a second encapsulation member 50, mold vias 60, secondcoupling members 70, a substrate 80, and an underfill 95. The stackedsemiconductor package 300 may further include external coupling members92.

The first semiconductor chip 10 may be either a memory chip or a logicchip. For example, the first semiconductor chip 10 may be a logic chip.The first semiconductor chip 10 may have a first active surface 10 a anda first surface 10 b which faces away from the first active surface 10a. The first semiconductor chip 10 may include a plurality of firstbonding pads 12 which are arranged on the first active surface 10 a.When viewed in a first direction X, the first bonding pads 12 mayinclude peripheral bonding pads 12 a which are disposed at both sideperipheries of the first active surface 10 a and central bonding pads 12b which are disposed between the peripheral bonding pads 12 a of thefirst active surface 10 a. The first semiconductor chip 10 may bedisposed in a face-down type such that the first active surface 10 a onwhich the first bonding pads 12 are arranged faces downward.

The first encapsulation member 20 may be formed to cover first sidesurfaces 10 c of the first semiconductor chip 10. The firstencapsulation member 20 may be formed to not cover the first activesurface 10 a and the first surface 10 b of the first semiconductor chip10. The first encapsulation member 20 may be formed of an epoxy moldingcompound.

Two second semiconductor chips 30 may be disposed under the firstsemiconductor chip 10 and the first encapsulation member 20 in a seconddirection Y. Each of the second semiconductor chips 30 may have a secondactive surface 30 a and a second surface 30 b which faces away from thesecond active surface 30 a. The second semiconductor chips 30 may bedisposed such that the second active surfaces 30 a of the secondsemiconductor chips 30 face the first active surface 10 a of the firstsemiconductor chip 10. Each of the second semiconductor chips 30 mayinclude a plurality of second bonding pads 32 which are arranged on thesecond active surface 30 a. The second bonding pads 32 of each of thesecond semiconductor chips 30 may be disposed at one side periphery ofthe second active surface 30 a which is adjacent to the firstsemiconductor chip 10 when viewed in the first direction X.

The two second semiconductor chips 30 may be disposed to be separatedfrom each other in such a manner that the side peripheries of the secondactive surfaces 30 a at which the second bonding pads 32 are arrangedoverlap with the peripheral bonding pads 12 a of the first semiconductorchip 10 leaving the central bonding pads 12 b of the first semiconductorchip 10 exposed. The second bonding pads 32 of the second semiconductorchips 30 may be disposed to overlap with the peripheral bonding pads 12a of the first semiconductor chip 10 in a one-to-one correspondence.

The second semiconductor chips 30 may be a kind of chip that isdifferent from the first semiconductor chip 10. For example, if thefirst semiconductor chip 10 is a logic chip, the second semiconductorchips 30 may be memory chips.

The first coupling members 40 may be interposed between the peripheralbonding pads 12 a of the first semiconductor chip 10 and the secondbonding pads 32 of the second semiconductor chips 30. The first couplingmembers 40 may be constructed by bumps. The first coupling members 40may be formed on the second bonding pads 32 of the second semiconductorchips 30. The second semiconductor chips 30 may be flip-chip bonded tothe first active surface 10 a of the first semiconductor chip 10 by thefirst coupling members 40.

The second encapsulation member 50 may be formed to cover the secondactive surfaces 30 a and second side surfaces 30 c of the secondsemiconductor chips 30. The second encapsulation member 50 may be formedto not cover the second surfaces 30 b of the second semiconductor chips30. The second encapsulation member 50 may be formed to fill the regionbetween the second semiconductor chips 30. The second encapsulationmember 50 may be formed of an epoxy molding compound.

The mold vias 60 may be formed through a portion of the secondencapsulation member 50 between the second semiconductor chips 30. Themold vias 60 may be formed to pass through a second front surface 50 aand a second back surface 50 b of the second encapsulation member 50.The mold vias 60 may be coupled with the central bonding pads 12 b,respectively, of the first semiconductor chip 10 on the second frontsurface 50 a of the second encapsulation member 50.

Bump pads 62 may be formed on or under the portions of the mold vias 60which are disposed at the second back surface 50 b of the secondencapsulation member 50. Dummy pads 64 may be formed under and at theside peripheries of the second surfaces 30 b of the second semiconductorchips 30 which are not adjacent to the mold vias 60 when viewed in thefirst direction X. The bump pads 62 and the dummy pads 64 may be formedas a metal pattern.

The second coupling members 70 may be formed on or under the bump pads62. Support members 72 may be formed on or under the dummy pads 64. Thesecond coupling members 70 and the support members 72 may be constructedby bumps. By the second coupling members 70, a chip stack including thefirst semiconductor chip 10, the first encapsulation member 20, thesecond semiconductor chips 30, and the second encapsulation member 50may be flip-chip bonded to a top surface 80 a of the substrate 80. Thestack of the dummy pads 64 and the support members 72 may be formed tosecure structural stability when flip-chip bonding the chip stack, Thestack of the dummy pads 64 and the support members 72 may be disposed atthe side peripheries of the second surfaces 30 b of the secondsemiconductor chips 30 which are not adjacent to the mold vias 60 whenviewed in the first direction X.

The substrate 80 may be disposed under the second semiconductor chips 30and the second encapsulation member 50. That is, the substrate 80 may bedisposed to face the second surfaces 30 b of the second semiconductorchips 30 and the second back surface 50 b of the second encapsulationmember 50. The substrate 80 may be a printed circuit board, and have aquadrangular plate shape. The substrate 80 may have the top surface 80 aand a bottom surface 80 b which faces away from the top surface 80 a.The substrate 80 may include a plurality of bond fingers 82 which arearranged on the top surface 80 a and a plurality of electrode terminals84 which are arranged on or under the bottom surface 80 b.

The bond fingers 82 may be disposed at the center portion of the topsurface 80 a of the substrate 80. The bond fingers 82 may be disposed insuch a way as to overlap with the mold vias 60 corresponding thereto.Accordingly, the bond fingers 82 may be electrically coupled with themold vias 60 including the bump pads 62 by the second coupling members70. As a result, the bond fingers 82 may be electrically coupled withthe central bonding pads 12 b of the first semiconductor chip 10 throughthe second coupling members 70, the bump pads 62, and the mold vias 60.

The electrode terminals 84 may be arranged on or under the bottomsurface 80 b of the substrate 80. The electrode terminals 84 may beelectrically coupled with the bond fingers 82 which are arranged on thetop surface 80 a of the substrate 80, through internal wiring lines (notshown) which are formed in the substrate 80.

The underfill 95 may be formed to fill the space between the chip stackand the substrate 80. More clearly, the underfill 95 may be formed tofill the spaces between the second surfaces 30 b of the secondsemiconductor chips 30 on which the stacks of the bump pads 62 and thesecond coupling members 70 and the stacks of the dummy pads 64 and thesupport members 72 are disposed, and the second back surface 50 b of thesecond encapsulation member 50 and the top surface 80 a of the substrate80. The underfill 95 may include an epoxy constituent.

The external coupling members 92 may be formed on or under the electrodeterminals 84 which are arranged on the bottom surface 80 b of thesubstrate 80. The external coupling members 92 may include solder balls.Unlike this, the external coupling members 92 may include conductivepins or conductive pastes.

Referring to FIG. 4, a stacked semiconductor package 400 in accordancewith an embodiment may include a first semiconductor chip 10, a firstencapsulation member 20, second semiconductor chips 30, first couplingmembers 40, a second encapsulation member 50, mold vias 60, and aredistribution layer 110. The stacked semiconductor package 400 mayfurther include external coupling members 120.

The first semiconductor chip 10 may be either a memory chip or a logicchip. For example, the first semiconductor chip 10 may be a logic chip.The first semiconductor chip 10 may have a first active surface 10 a anda first surface 10 b which faces away from the first active surface 10a. The first semiconductor chip 10 may include a plurality of firstbonding pads 12 which are arranged on the first active surface 10 a.When viewed in a first direction X, the first bonding pads 12 mayinclude peripheral bonding pads 12 a which are disposed at both sideperipheries of the first active surface 10 a and central bonding pads 12b which are disposed between the peripheral bonding pads 12 a. The firstsemiconductor chip 10 may be disposed in a face-down type such that thefirst active surface 10 a on which the first bonding pads 12 arearranged faces downward.

The first encapsulation member 20 may be formed to cover first sidesurfaces 10 c of the first semiconductor chip 10. The firstencapsulation member 20 may be formed to not cover the first activesurface 10 a and the first surface 10 b of the first semiconductor chip10. The first encapsulation member 20 may be formed of an epoxy moldingcompound.

The second semiconductor chips 30 may be disposed under the firstsemiconductor chip 10 and the first encapsulation member 20 in a seconddirection Y. Two second semiconductor chips may be disposed. Each of thesecond semiconductor chips 30 may have a second active surface 30 a anda second surface 30 b which faces away from the second active surface 30a. Each of the second semiconductor chips 30 may include a plurality ofsecond bonding pads 32 which are arranged on the second active surface30 a. The second bonding pads 32 of each of the second semiconductorchips 30 may be disposed at one side periphery of the second activesurface 30 a which is adjacent to the first semiconductor chip 10 whenviewed in the first direction X.

The second semiconductor chips 30 may be disposed such that the secondactive surfaces 30 a of the second semiconductor chips 30 face the firstactive surface 10 a of the first semiconductor chip 10. The two secondsemiconductor chips 30 may be disposed to be separated from each otherin such a manner that the side peripheries of the second active surfaces30 a at which the second bonding pads 32 are arranged overlap with theperipheral bonding pads 12 a of the first semiconductor chip 10. The twosecond semiconductor chips 30 may be disposed to not overlap with thecentral bonding pads 12 b of the first semiconductor chip 10. Theperipheral bonding pads 12 a of the first semiconductor chip 10 and thesecond bonding pads 32 of the second semiconductor chips 30 may bedisposed to overlap with each other in a one-to-one correspondence.

The second semiconductor chips 30 may be a kind of chip that isdifferent from the first semiconductor chip 10. For example, if thefirst semiconductor chip 10 is a logic chip, the second semiconductorchips 30 may be memory chips.

The first coupling members 40 may be respectively interposed between theperipheral bonding pads 12 a of the first semiconductor chip 10 and thesecond bonding pads 32 of the second semiconductor chips 30 in such away as to electrically couple the peripheral bonding pads 12 a and thesecond bonding pads 32. The first coupling members 40 may be constructedby bumps. The first coupling members 40 may be formed on the secondbonding pads 32 of the second semiconductor chips 30. The secondsemiconductor chips 30 may be flip-chip bonded to the first activesurface 10 a of the first semiconductor chip 10 by the first couplingmembers 40.

The second encapsulation member 50 may be formed to cover the secondactive surfaces 30 a and second side surfaces 30 c of the secondsemiconductor chips 30. The second encapsulation member 50 may be formedto not cover the second surfaces 30 b of the second semiconductor chips30. The second encapsulation member 50 may be formed to fill the regionbetween the second semiconductor chips 30. The second encapsulationmember 50 may be formed of an epoxy molding compound.

The mold vias 60 may be formed through portions of the secondencapsulation member 50 between the second semiconductor chips 30 topass through a second front surface 50 a and a second back surface 50 bof the second encapsulation member 50. The mold vias 60 may be coupledwith the central bonding pads 12 b, respectively, of the firstsemiconductor chip 10 on the second front surface 50 a of the secondencapsulation member 50.

The redistribution layer 110 may function as means for mounting a chipstack including the first and second semiconductor chips 10 and 30 to anexternal circuit. The redistribution layer 110 may include a firstdielectric layer 112, redistribution lines 114, and a second dielectriclayer 116. The redistribution layer 110 may further includeredistribution pads 118. The redistribution layer 110 may be formedunder the second surfaces 30 b of the second semiconductor chips 30, thesecond back surface 50 b of the second encapsulation member 50, and themold vias 60.

The first dielectric layer 112 may be formed on or under the secondsurfaces 30 b of the second semiconductor chips 30, the second backsurface 50 b of the second encapsulation member 50, and the mold vias60. The first dielectric layer 112 may be formed under the secondsurfaces 30 b of the second semiconductor chips 30 and the second backsurface 50 b. The first dielectric layer 112 may be formed a to leaveexposed portions of the mold vias 60 which are disposed on the secondback surface 50 b of the second encapsulation member 50. The firstdielectric layer 112 may serve as a stress buffer. The redistributionlines 114 may be formed on or under the first dielectric layer 112. Theredistribution lines 114 may be formed in such a manner that one ends ofthe respective redistribution lines 114 are coupled with the mold vias60 which are exposed through the first dielectric layer 112. Theredistribution lines 114 may be constructed by, for example, copperwiring lines. The second dielectric layer 116 may be formed on or underthe first dielectric layer 112 to cover the redistribution lines 114.The second dielectric layer 116 may be formed to leave exposed the otherends of the redistribution lines 114 facing away from the one ends. Theredistribution pads 118 may be formed on or under the second dielectriclayer 116. The redistribution pads 118 may be formed in such a way as tobe coupled with the other ends, respectively, of the redistributionlines 114 which are exposed through the second dielectric layer 116.

The external coupling members 120 may be formed on or under theredistribution pads 118, respectively. The external coupling members 120may be constructed by solder balls. Unlike this, the external couplingmembers 120 may be constructed by conductive pins or conductive pastes.

The stacked semiconductor package in accordance with the embodiment mayhave advantages the same as those of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1. In addition, because the stacked semiconductor package inaccordance with the embodiment includes a redistribution layer insteadof a substrate, an entire thickness may be reduced when compared to thatof the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, and the manufacturing cost maybe reduced through removal of the substrate.

The semiconductor packages in accordance with the above-describedvarious embodiments may be applied to various kinds of electronicsystems and memory cards.

Referring to FIG. 5, an electronic system 500 may include the stackedsemiconductor package according to the above-described variousembodiments. The electronic system 500 may include a controller 510, aninput and output (input/output) unit 520, and a memory device 530. Thecontroller 510, the input/output unit 520, and the memory device 530 maybe coupled with one another through a bus 550 which provides datamovement paths.

For example, the controller 510 may include at least any one of amicroprocessor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, and logicdevices capable of performing similar functions to these components. Thecontroller 510 and the memory device 530 may include the stackedsemiconductor packages in accordance with the above-described variousembodiments. The input/output unit 520 may include any one selectedamong a keypad, a keyboard, a display device, and so forth.

The memory device 530 may store data and/or commands to be executed bythe controller 510. The memory device 530 may include a volatile memorydevice such as a DRAM and/or a nonvolatile memory device such as a flashmemory. For example, a flash memory may be mounted to an informationprocessing system such as a mobile terminal and a desktop computer. Sucha flash memory may be configured by an SSD (solid state drive). In thiscase, the electronic system 500 may stably store a large amount of datain a flash memory system.

Such an electronic system 500 may further include an interface 540 fortransmitting data to a communication network or receiving data from acommunication network. The interface 540 may be a wired or wirelesstype. For example, the interface 540 may include an antenna or awired/wireless transceiver.

Although not illustrated, the electronic system 500 may further includean application chipset, a camera image processor (CIP), and so forth.

The electronic system 500 may be realized as a mobile system, a personalcomputer, a computer for an industrial use or a logic system whichperforms various functions. For example, the mobile system may be anyone among a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a webtablet, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a wireless phone, a laptopcomputer, a memory card, a digital music system and an informationtransmission/reception system.

In the case where the electronic system 500 is equipment capable ofperforming wireless communication, the electronic system 500 may be usedin a communication system such as CDMA (code division multiple access),GSM (global system for mobile communication), NADC (North Americandigital cellular), E-TDMA (enhanced-time division multiple access),WCDMA (wideband code division multiple access), CDMA2000, LTE (long termevolution), and Wibro (wireless broadband Internet).

Referring to FIG. 6, a memory card may include the stacked semiconductorpackages according to the above-described various embodiments. Forinstance, a memory card 600 may include a memory 610 such as anonvolatile memory device and a memory controller 620. The memory 610and the memory controller 620 may store data or read stored data. Thememory 610 may include at least any one among nonvolatile memory devicesto which the stacked semiconductor packages in accordance with theabove-described various embodiments are applied. The memory controller620 may control the memory 610 to read stored data or store data, inresponse to a read and write (read/write) request from a host 630.

Although various embodiments have been described for illustrativepurposes, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stacked semiconductor package comprising: afirst semiconductor chip having a first active surface over which firstbonding pads including peripheral bonding pads and central bonding padare arranged; a first encapsulation member formed over at least firstside surfaces of the first semiconductor chip; two second semiconductorchips having second active surfaces over which second bonding pads arearranged at side peripheries adjacent to the first semiconductor chip,and disposed to be separated from each other such that the second activesurfaces face the first active surface and the second bonding padsoverlap with the peripheral bonding pads; first coupling membersinterposed between the peripheral bonding pads of the firstsemiconductor chip and the second bonding pads of the secondsemiconductor chips; a second encapsulation member formed over secondside surfaces of the second semiconductor chips including a regionbetween the second semiconductor chips; and a mold via formed through aportion of the second encapsulation member in the region between thesecond semiconductor chips and directly coupled with the central bondingpad of the first semiconductor chip, wherein the first encapsulationmember has a first front surface which is coplanar with the first activesurface of the first semiconductor chip and a first back surface whichis coplanar with a first surface of the first semiconductor chip facingaway from the first active surface, and wherein the second encapsulationmember has a second front surface which is in contact with the firstencapsulation member and a second back surface which is coplanar withsecond surfaces of the second semiconductor chips facing away from thesecond active surfaces.
 2. The stacked semiconductor package accordingto claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor chip comprises a logic chip,and the second semiconductor chips comprise memory chips.
 3. The stackedsemiconductor package according to claim 1, wherein the secondencapsulation member is formed to be in contact with the firstsemiconductor chip and the first encapsulation member.
 4. The stackedsemiconductor package according to claim 1, further comprising: bump padformed under the mold via which are disposed at the second back surfaceof the second encapsulation member; dummy pads formed under the secondsurfaces of the second semiconductor chips; second coupling memberformed under the bump pad; and support members formed under the dummypads.
 5. The stacked semiconductor package according to claim 4, furthercomprising: a substrate disposed to face the second surfaces of thesecond semiconductor chips and the second back surface of the secondencapsulation member, and having a top surface over which bond finger tobe electrically coupled with the second coupling member is arranged anda bottom surface under which electrode terminal to be electricallycoupled with the bond finger is arranged.
 6. The stacked semiconductorpackage according to claim 5, further comprising: a third encapsulationmember formed over the top surface of the substrate to cover sidesurfaces of the first and second encapsulation members and fill spacesbetween the second semiconductor chips and the second encapsulationmember and the top surface of the substrate; and external couplingmember formed under the electrode terminal.
 7. The stacked semiconductorpackage according to claim 5, further comprising: an underfill formed tofill spaces between the second surfaces of the second semiconductorchips and the second back surface of the second encapsulation member andthe top surface of the substrate; and external coupling member formedunder the electrode terminal.
 8. The stacked semiconductor packageaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a redistribution layer formedunder the second surfaces of the second semiconductor chips, the secondback surface of the second encapsulation member, and the mold via. 9.The stacked semiconductor package according to claim 8, wherein theredistribution layer comprises: a first dielectric layer formed underthe second surfaces of the second semiconductor chips, the second backsurface of the second encapsulation member, and the mold via in such away as to leave exposed the mold via; redistribution line formed underthe first dielectric layer such that one end of the redistribution lineis coupled with the mold via which is exposed; a second dielectric layerformed under the first dielectric layer in such a way as to cover theredistribution line except the other end of the redistribution linefacing away from the one end; and redistribution pad formed under thesecond dielectric layer in such a way as to be coupled with the otherend of the redistribution line which is exposed.
 10. The stackedsemiconductor package according to claim 9, further comprising: externalcoupling member formed under the redistribution pad.